Since it opened in 1974, Turtle Bay Resort has been a haven for travelers who want to escape to Oahu’s more laid-back North Shore, with miles of golden-sand beaches and world-famous surf. Turtle Bay, which spans nearly 1,300 lush acres that include five miles of untouched coastline, is the only full-service hotel in the area, boasting 450 rooms ranging from spacious oceanfront bungalows with a private infinity-style pool to accommodations with ocean views from the bathtub.
It recently underwent an extensive renovation that celebrates Hawaii’s natural beauty by incorporating locally sourced monkeypod wood, indigenous plants and hand-woven artisan carpets. Every aspect of the guest experience has been redesigned, from the new light-filled lobby lined with floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning ocean vistas to the menu at its new signature restaurant Alaia, which highlights locally grown ingredients and native produce like ʻulu (breadfruit) and apple bananas.
- Set on a peninsula with three wings, every room and suite in the main hotel has incredible water views. Set apart from the main hotel, the 42 newly renovated ocean bungalows boast 750 square feet of living space just steps from the waves, each with private lānais (porches) and access to an exclusive infinity pool.
- The resort has two new pools—an adults-only pool with in-water loungers and mai tais nearby and a keiki (kids) pool with two water slides. The pool deck also features luxe new cabanas and a bar that serves tropical drinks like the Molokaʻi Mule and classic Lava Flow and a slew of local brews.
- Weary travelers can find relief at the renovated Nalu Spa, which offers massages, body treatments and facials using ingredients like coconut, noni and Hawaiian sea salt from Molokai.
- All the restaurants at Turtle Bay use fresh produce grown at Kuilima Farm, which is owned by the Oahu hotel and sits across the street. Chefs at the resort source 700 pounds of fresh produce per week from the farm, including salad greens, vegetables, herbs and fruits.
- There are several beaches within walking distance from the hotel, including the popular Kuilima Cove, where you can rent a beach cabana or dine at the Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi, one of Hawaii’stop chefs; or the secluded Hidden Beach, just past the hotel’s stables. It’s not uncommon to see endangered Hawaiian monk seals or honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) along this coastline.
- A unique experience at Turtle Bay is its horseback rides along 12 miles of oceanfront trails and seaside paths.Kids 6 and younger can take pony rides, too.
- Pro surfer Jaime O’Brien, who grew up on the North Shore, teamed up with the luxury hotel to offer the Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience. Learn to surf or stand-up paddleboard at the break right next to Turtle Bay. O’Brien may even be one of your instructors.
- In 2021, Kuilima Farm opened a roadside farm stand, which allows the farm’s food producers to sell their goods—fresh fruits, hydroponically grown lettuce, shave ice—to the community and visitors. The farm recently launched 45-minute tours, too.
- More than 70 native and introduced bird species have been spotted at the resort, including the ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian moorhen), ʻalae kea (Hawaiian coot), the pelagic Laysan albatross and the migrating kōlea (Pacific golden plover). Shaka Kukakuka Birdwatching Tour leads curated birding tours of the area.
- On Thursday nights, the North Shore hotel hosts Paniolo Pāʻina (paniolo means“cowboy” and pāʻina means“dinner” in the Hawaiian language). Set against the backdrop of the resort’s stables and the ocean, this weekly dinner celebrates Hawaii’s rich ranching and cowboy heritage with delicious food, live entertainment and hula lessons. Vegetarian options are available.
Bar
Beach
Fitness classes
Golf
Gym
Meeting rooms
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Tennis
